1.2.1 Explain the importance of formulating a problem precisely
In order to create a good solution it is vital to understand what the problem is, so that the solutions are all focused towards it.
There might be a team of specialists that work on the problem; and all of them must be fully concerned about the issue. Furthermore the user of the system often knows the matter perfectly and he must be interviewed so that he can provide a good description of his requirements.
There is also an economic concern, since the cost of the system is directly proportional to the benefits it will provide, all this information should be then written in feasibility report. Lastly the most important thing of all; a system must be tested continuously to see if it satisfies all the requests, it is not possible to test a system without knowing what it was supposed to do.
1.2.2 Discuss the aspects that must be considered in a specified problem
Various aspects are to be considered in finding a solution to a specific problem. This intial phase of analysis in systems can also be called 'fact finding'. The reason for this analysis is for the purpose of determining what aspects of the problem can be solved by computer means, whether the solutions have been used in the past to solve a similar problem, or what the costs may be in generating a solution, for example.
Additionally information can be found such as how much time it may take to install a new system, and the responsibilities given to various persons in the development team.
All of the information that must be obtained, as described above, can be found through conducting interviews, or sending out questionnaires to employees in a company for example. The development team may also look up a history of the organization to see what information is available about the current system through existing documents. Research into other sources with different solutions to a similar problem and the observation of employees working under the existing system can also be investigated.
Obviously, these methods of analysis are used at the development team's discretion, since they all have advantages and disadvantages.
1.2.3 Identify the outcomes that an appropriate solution must produce to solve a specified problem
It is likely that after the analysis stage a number of possibe solutions will be made. Therefore a decision will need to be made on which is the most suitable solution and whether is is worth making the change.
If the decision is to go ahead with the change a detailed plan must be produced, tasks allocated and a feasibility report created.
1.2.4 Identify the parts of a problem that can be solved appropriately using a computer
Not all problems are feasible or cost effective to be solved with a computer. You must take into account both hardware and software constraints.
1.2.5 Identify the three basic control constructs of programming: accepting data,
processing it and the results
In general, the three basic control aspects of the system will be:
Input
Process
Output
1.2.6 Analyse a problem by decomposing it into modules
Modular decomposition breaks down the problem into smaller components. We usually find the modules deal with both inputs, processes and outputs. Analysis is used to get a clear idea of what the existing system does. This corresponds to dossier criterion A. Many students make the mistake of writing about the solution at this stage of their dossiers. With projects of any size, the analysis stage of gathering data is essential because you can gain clear insight into data input, processing and output without thinking about the computer system that may eventually be used.
Identifying Problems
No system is perfect and it is the job of the systems analyst to try and identify where the problems in a system are.
If these problems can be fixed, the system will work more smoothly, be more efficient and, in the case of a business, be more profitable.
In the above payroll example, the following problems might be identified...
The payroll often takes over three days to process, resulting in many employees being paid late
Time sheets sometimes get lost before being processed. This means that sometimes pay has to be estimated
The reports sent to management do not show enough information.
Data collection
This process is sometimes referred to (or sometimes taken to include) fact finding. The classic fact-finding methods are:
Conduct interviews
Carry out questionnaires
Study existing documents
Search the literature for other solutions to the same problem.
Observe people working with the existing system
Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages which can be summarised as follows:
Method
Advantages and disadvantages
interviews
Detailed data, can change questions during process (not like questionnaire).
Time-consuming, problems classifying/quantifying data
questionnaires
Can reach a lot of people, quickly (comp to interview/observation); Numerical analysis possible.
Questions may be mis-interpreted; people may not respond at all or may do only some questions.
document search
The data required for the system can be identified accurately.
Documents may be lacking, out-of-date etc (interview could discover this)
literature search
Can find descriptions/problems of previous implementations (saves work).
Problem may not be described (or in detail). Again, working without experienced users.
observation
Observations are independent of user bias (unlike interview/questionnaire).
Time consuming and observer can affect process "Hawthorne Effect".
As implied by the above table, a mixture of methods is often a very effective way to research and analyse a problem.
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1.2.1 Explain the importance of formulating a problem precisely
In order to create a good solution it is vital to understand what the problem is, so that the solutions are all focused towards it.There might be a team of specialists that work on the problem; and all of them must be fully concerned about the issue. Furthermore the user of the system often knows the matter perfectly and he must be interviewed so that he can provide a good description of his requirements.
There is also an economic concern, since the cost of the system is directly proportional to the benefits it will provide, all this information should be then written in feasibility report. Lastly the most important thing of all; a system must be tested continuously to see if it satisfies all the requests, it is not possible to test a system without knowing what it was supposed to do.
1.2.2 Discuss the aspects that must be considered in a specified problem
Various aspects are to be considered in finding a solution to a specific problem. This intial phase of analysis in systems can also be called 'fact finding'. The reason for this analysis is for the purpose of determining what aspects of the problem can be solved by computer means, whether the solutions have been used in the past to solve a similar problem, or what the costs may be in generating a solution, for example.
Additionally information can be found such as how much time it may take to install a new system, and the responsibilities given to various persons in the development team.
All of the information that must be obtained, as described above, can be found through conducting interviews, or sending out questionnaires to employees in a company for example. The development team may also look up a history of the organization to see what information is available about the current system through existing documents. Research into other sources with different solutions to a similar problem and the observation of employees working under the existing system can also be investigated.
Obviously, these methods of analysis are used at the development team's discretion, since they all have advantages and disadvantages.
1.2.3 Identify the outcomes that an appropriate solution must produce to solve a specified problem
It is likely that after the analysis stage a number of possibe solutions will be made. Therefore a decision will need to be made on which is the most suitable solution and whether is is worth making the change.If the decision is to go ahead with the change a detailed plan must be produced, tasks allocated and a feasibility report created.
1.2.4 Identify the parts of a problem that can be solved appropriately using a computer
Not all problems are feasible or cost effective to be solved with a computer. You must take into account both hardware and software constraints.1.2.5 Identify the three basic control constructs of programming: accepting data,
processing it and the results
In general, the three basic control aspects of the system will be:
1.2.6 Analyse a problem by decomposing it into modules
Modular decomposition breaks down the problem into smaller components. We usually find the modules deal with both inputs, processes and outputs.Analysis is used to get a clear idea of what the existing system does. This corresponds to dossier criterion A. Many students make the mistake of writing about the solution at this stage of their dossiers. With projects of any size, the analysis stage of gathering data is essential because you can gain clear insight into data input, processing and output without thinking about the computer system that may eventually be used.
Identifying Problems
No system is perfect and it is the job of the systems analyst to try and identify where the problems in a system are.
If these problems can be fixed, the system will work more smoothly, be more efficient and, in the case of a business, be more profitable.
In the above payroll example, the following problems might be identified...
Data collection
This process is sometimes referred to (or sometimes taken to include) fact finding. The classic fact-finding methods are:
- Conduct interviews
- Carry out questionnaires
- Study existing documents
- Search the literature for other solutions to the same problem.
- Observe people working with the existing system
Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages which can be summarised as follows:Time-consuming, problems classifying/quantifying data
Questions may be mis-interpreted; people may not respond at all or may do only some questions.
Documents may be lacking, out-of-date etc (interview could discover this)
Problem may not be described (or in detail). Again, working without experienced users.
Time consuming and observer can affect process "Hawthorne Effect".
Best content in StJulians_ComputerScience | Diigo - Groups